Ovarian Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
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cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
Ovarian Cancer Early Detection,
Diagnosis, and Staging
Detection and Diagnosis
Catching cancer early often allows for more treatment options. Some early cancers
may have signs and symptoms that can be noticed, but that is not always the case.
● Can Ovarian Cancer Be Found Early?
● Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
● Tests for Ovarian Cancer
Stages and Outlook (Prognosis)
After a cancer diagnosis, staging provides important information about the extent of
cancer in the body and anticipated response to treatment.
● Ovarian Cancer Stages
● Survival Rates for Ovarian Cancer
Questions to Ask About Ovarian Cancer
Here are some questions you can ask your cancer care team to help you better
understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment options.
● What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Ovarian Cancer?
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Can Ovarian Cancer Be Found Early?
Only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. When ovarian cancer is
found early, about 94% of patients live longer than 5 years after diagnosis.
Ways to find ovarian cancer early
Regular women's health exams
During a pelvic exam, the health care professional feels the ovaries and uterus for size,
shape, and consistency. A pelvic exam can be useful because it can find some female
cancers at an early stage, but most early ovarian tumors are difficult or impossible to
feel. Pelvic exams may, however, help find other cancers or female conditions. Women
should discuss the need for these exams with their doctor.
Screening tests used for cervical cancer, such as a Pap test or HPV (human
papillomavirus) test aren’t effective tests for ovarian cancer. Rarely, ovarian cancers are
found through Pap tests, but usually they are at an advanced stage.
See a doctor if you have symptoms
Early cancers of the ovaries often cause no symptoms. Symptoms of ovarian cancer
can also be caused by other, less serious conditions. By the time ovarian cancer is
considered as a possible cause of these symptoms, it usually has already spread. Also,
some types of ovarian cancer can rapidly spread to nearby organs. Prompt attention to
symptoms may improve the odds of early diagnosis and successful treatment. If you
have symptoms similar to those of ovarian cancer almost daily for more than a few
weeks, report them right away to your health care professional.
Screening tests for ovarian cancer
Screening tests and exams are used to detect a disease, like cancer, in people who
don’t have any symptoms. (For example, a mammogram can often detect breast cancer
in its earliest stage, even before a doctor can feel the cancer.)
There has been a lot of research to develop a screening test for ovarian cancer, but
there hasn’t been much success so far. The 2 tests used most often (in addition to a
complete pelvic exam) to screen for ovarian cancer are transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)
and the CA-125 blood test.
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● TVUS (transvaginal ultrasound) is a test that uses sound waves to look at the
uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries by putting an ultrasound wand into the vagina. It
can help find a mass (tumor) in the ovary, but it can't actually tell if a mass is cancer
or benign. When it is used for screening, most of the masses found are not cancer.
● The CA-125 blood test measures the amount of a protein called CA-125 in the
blood. Many women with ovarian cancer have high levels of CA-125. This test can
be useful as a tumor marker to help guide treatment in women known to have
ovarian cancer, because a high level often goes down if treatment is working. But
checking CA-125 levels has not been found to be as useful as a screening test for
ovarian cancer. The problem with using this test for ovarian cancer screening is that
high levels of CA-125 is more often caused by common conditions such as
endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Also, not everyone who has
ovarian cancer has a high CA-125 level. When someone who is not known to have
ovarian cancer has an abnormal CA-125 level, the doctor might repeat the test (to
make sure the result is correct) and may consider ordering a transvaginal
ultrasound test.
Better ways to screen for ovarian cancer are being researched but currently there are
no reliable screening tests. Hopefully, improvements in screening tests will eventually
lead to fewer deaths from ovarian cancer.
If you're at average risk
There are no recommended screening tests for ovarian cancer for women who do not
have symptoms and are not at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. In studies of
women at average risk of ovarian cancer, using TVUS and CA-125 for screening led to
more testing and sometimes more surgeries, but did not lower the number of deaths
caused by ovarian cancer. For that reason, no major medical or professional
organization recommends the routine use of TVUS or the CA-125 blood test to screen
for ovarian cancer in women at average risk.
If you're at high risk
Some organizations state that TVUS and CA-125 may be offered to screen women who
have a high risk of ovarian cancer due to aninherited genetic syndrome1 such as Lynch
syndrome, BRCA gene mutations or a strong family history of breast and ovarian
cancer. Still, even in these women, it has not been proven that using these tests for
screening lowers their chances of dying from ovarian cancer.
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Screening tests for germ cell tumors/stromal tumors
There are no recommended screening tests for germ cell tumors or stromal tumors.
Some germ cell cancers release certain protein markers such as human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) into the blood. After these tumors
have been treated by surgery2 and chemotherapy3, blood tests for these markers can
be used to see if treatment is working and to determine if the cancer is coming back.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html
2. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating/surgery.html
3. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating/chemotherapy.html
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2018. Atlanta, GA: American
Cancer Society; 2018.
Bevers TB, Brown PH, Maresso KC and Hawk ET. Ch 23 - Cancer Prevention and Early
Detection. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Lichter AS, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB,
McKenna WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014: 322.
Brawley OW, Parnes HL. Ch 34 – Cancer Screening. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S,
Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia,
PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
Buys SS, Partridge E, Black A, et al. Effect of screening on ovarian cancer mortality: the
Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Randomized
Controlled Trial. JAMA. 2011 Jun 8;305(22):2295-2303.
Fleming GF, Seidman JD, Yemelyanova A and Lengyel E. (2017). Chapter 23:
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. In D. S. Chi, A. Berchuck, D. S. Dizon, & C. M. Yashar
(Authors), Principles and practice of gynecologic oncology (7th ed). Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer Health.
Jonathan S. Berek, Michael L. Friedlander, Neville F. Hacker (2015) Chapter 11:
Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneal Cancer. In Jonathan Berek (Author),
Berek & Hacker's Gynecologic Oncology (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health.
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Last Revised: July 24, 2020
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. Women are more likely to
have symptoms if the disease has spread, but even early-stage ovarian cancer can
cause them. The most common symptoms include:
● Bloating
● Pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain
● Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
● Urinary symptoms such as urgency (always feeling like you have to go) or
frequency (having to go often)
These symptoms are also commonly caused by benign (non-cancerous) diseases and
by cancers of other organs. When they are caused by ovarian cancer, they tend to be
persistent and a change from normal for example, they occur more often or are more
severe. These symptoms are more likely to be caused by other conditions, and most of
them occur just about as often in women who don’t have ovarian cancer. But if you have
these symptoms more than 12 times a month, see your doctor so the problem can be
found and treated if necessary.
Others symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
● Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
● Upset stomach
● Back pain
● Pain during sex
● Constipation
● Changes in a woman's period, such as heavier bleeding than normal or irregular
bleeding
● Abdominal (belly) swelling with weight loss
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References
Cannistra SA, Gershenson DM, Recht A. Ch 76 - Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube
carcinoma, and peritoneal carcinoma. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA,
eds. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Drescher, C. W., Urban, N., Gough, S., Schurman, K. M.,
Patras, J., Mahony, B. S. and Andersen, M. R. (2007), Development of an ovarian
cancer symptom index. Cancer, 109: 221-227.
Morgan M, Boyd J, Drapkin R, Seiden MV. Ch 89 – Cancers Arising in the Ovary. In:
Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Lichter AS, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna WG,
eds. Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014: 1592.
Last Revised: April 11, 2018
Tests for Ovarian Cancer
If your doctor finds something suspicious during a pelvic exam, or if you have symptoms
that might be due to ovarian cancer, your doctor will recommend exams and tests to
find the cause.
Medical history and physical exam
Your doctor will ask about your medical history to learn about possible risk factors,
including your family history. You will also be asked if you’re having any symptoms,
when they started, and how long you've had them. Your doctor will likely do a pelvic
exam to check for an enlarged ovary or signs of fluid in the abdomen (which is called
ascites).
If there is reason to suspect you have ovarian cancer based on your symptoms and/or
physical exam, your doctor will order some tests to check further.
Consultation with a specialist
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If the results of your pelvic exam or other tests suggest that you have ovarian cancer,
you will need a doctor or surgeon who specializes in treating women with this type of
cancer. A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who is specially
trained in treating cancers of the female reproductive system. Treatment by a
gynecologic oncologist helps ensure that you get the best kind of surgery for your
cancer. It has also has been shown to help patients with ovarian cancer live longer.
Anyone suspected of having ovarian cancer should see this type of specialist before
having surgery.
Imaging tests
Doctors use imaging tests to take pictures of the inside of your body. Imaging tests can
show whether a pelvic mass is present, but they cannot confirm that the mass is a
cancer. These tests are also useful if your doctor is looking to see if ovarian cancer has
spread (metastasized) to other tissues and organs.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound1 (ultrasonography) uses sound waves to create an image on a video screen.
Sound waves are released from a small probe placed in the woman's vagina and a
small microphone-like instrument called a transducer gives off sound waves and picks
up the echoes as they bounce off organs. A computer turns these echoes into an image
on the screen.
Ultrasound is often the first test done if a problem with the ovaries is suspected. It can
be used to find an ovarian tumor and to check if it is a solid mass (tumor) or a fluid-filled
cyst. It can also be used to get a better look at the ovary to see how big it is and how it
looks inside. This helps the doctor decide which masses or cysts are more worrisome.
Computed tomography (CT) scans
The CT scan2 is an x-ray test that makes detailed cross-sectional images of your body.
The test can help tell if ovarian cancer has spread to other organs.
CT scans do not show small ovarian tumors well, but they can see larger tumors, and
may be able to see if the tumor is growing into nearby structures. A CT scan may also
find enlarged lymph nodes, signs of cancer spread to liver or other organs, or signs that
an ovarian tumor is affecting your kidneys or bladder.
CT scans are not usually used to biopsy an ovarian tumor (see biopsy in the section
"Other tests"), but they can be used to biopsy a suspected metastasis (area of spread).
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For this procedure, called a CT-guided needle biopsy, the patient stays on the CT
scanning table, while a radiologist moves a biopsy needle toward the mass. CT scans
are repeated until the doctors are confident that the needle is in the mass. A fine needle
biopsy sample (tiny fragment of tissue) or a core needle biopsy sample (a thin cylinder
of tissue about ½ inch long and less than 1/8 inch in diameter) is removed and
examined in the lab.
Barium enema x-ray
A barium enema is a test to see if the cancer has invaded the colon (large intestine) or
rectum. This test is rarely used for women with ovarian cancer. Colonoscopy3 may be
done instead.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
MRI scans4 also create cross-section pictures of your insides. But MRI uses strong
magnets to make the images – not x-rays. A contrast material called gadolinium may be
injected into a vein before the scan to see details better.
MRI scans are not used often to look for ovarian cancer, but they are particularly helpful
to examine the brain and spinal cord where cancer could spread.
Chest x-ray
An x-ray5 might be done to determine whether ovarian cancer has spread
(metastasized) to the lungs. This spread may cause one or more tumors in the lungs
and more often causes fluid to collect around the lungs. This fluid, called a pleural
effusion, can be seen with chest x-rays as well as other types of scans.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
For a PET scan6, radioactive glucose (sugar) is given to look for the cancer. Body cells
take in different amounts of the sugar, depending on how fast they are growing. Cancer
cells, which grow quickly, are more likely to take up larger amounts of the sugar than
normal cells. A special camera is used to create a picture of areas of radioactivity in the
body.
The picture from a PET scan is not as detailed as a CT or MRI scan, but it provides
helpful information about whether abnormal areas seen on these other tests are likely to
be cancer or not.
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If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, your doctor may use this test to see if
the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. A PET scan can also
be useful if your doctor thinks the cancer may have spread but doesn’t know where.
PET/CT scan: Some machines can do both a PET and CT scan at the same time. This
lets the doctor compare areas of higher radioactivity on the PET scan with the more
detailed picture of that area on the CT scan.
PET scans can help find cancer when it has spread, but are not used often to look for
ovarian cancer.
Other tests
Laparoscopy
This procedure uses a thin, lighted tube through which a doctor can look at the ovaries
and other pelvic organs and tissues in the area. The tube is inserted through a small
incision (cut) in the lower abdomen and sends the images of the pelvis or abdomen to a
video monitor. Laparoscopy provides a view of organs that can help plan surgery or
other treatments and can help doctors confirm the stage (how far the tumor has spread)
of the cancer. Also, doctors can manipulate small instruments through the laparoscopic
incision(s) to perform biopsies.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy7 is a way to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon). The doctor
looks at the entire length of the colon and rectum with a colonoscope, a thin, flexible,
lighted tube with a small video camera on the end. It is inserted through the anus and
into the rectum and the colon. Any abnormal areas seen can by biopsied. This
procedure is more commonly used to look for colorectal cancer.
Biopsy
The only way to determine for certain if a growth is cancer is to remove a piece of it and
examine it in the lab. This procedure is called a biopsy8. For ovarian cancer, the biopsy
is most commonly done by removing the tumor during surgery.
In rare cases, a suspected ovarian cancer may be biopsied during a laparoscopy
procedure or with a needle placed directly into the tumor through the skin of the
abdomen. Usually the needle will be guided by either ultrasound or CT scan. This is
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only done if you cannot have surgery because of advanced cancer or some other
serious medical condition, because there is concern that a biopsy could spread the
cancer.
If you have ascites (fluid buildup inside the abdomen), samples of the fluid can also be
used to diagnose the cancer. In this procedure, called paracentesis, the skin of the
abdomen is numbed and a needle attached to a syringe is passed through the
abdominal wall into the fluid in the abdominal cavity. Ultrasound may be used to guide
the needle. The fluid is taken up into the syringe and then sent for analysis to see if it
contains cancer cells.
In all these procedures, the tissue or fluid obtained is sent to the lab. There it is
examined by a pathologist, a doctor who specialize in diagnosing and classifying
diseases by examining cells under a microscope and using other lab tests.
Blood tests
Your doctor will order blood count tests to make sure you have enough red blood cells,
white blood cells and platelets (cells that help stop bleeding). There will also be tests to
measure your kidney and liver function as well as your general health.
The doctor will also order a CA-125 test. Women who have a high CA-125 level are
often referred to a gynecologic oncologist, but any woman with suspected ovarian
cancer should see a gynecologic oncologist, as well.
Some germ cell cancers can cause elevated blood levels of the tumor markers human
chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and/or lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH). These may be checked if your doctor suspects that your ovarian tumor could be
a germ cell tumor.
Some ovarian stromal tumors cause the blood levels of a substance called inhibin and
hormones such as estrogen and testosterone to go up. These levels may be checked if
your doctor suspects that you have this type of tumor.
Genetic counseling and testing if you have ovarian cancer
If you have been diagnosed with an epithelial ovarian cancer, your doctor will likely
recommend that you get genetic counseling and genetic testing for certain inherited
gene changes9, even if you do not have a family history of cancer. The most
common mutations found are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but some ovarian
cancers are linked to mutations10in other genes, such as ATM, BRIP1,
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RAD51C/RAD51D, MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, or PMS6.
Genetic testing to look for inherited mutations can be helpful in several ways
● If you are found to have a gene mutation, you might be more likely to get other
types of cancer as well. You might benefit from doing what you can to lower your
risk of these cancers, as well as having tests to find them early.
● If you have a gene mutation, your family members (blood relatives) might also have
it, so they can decide if they want to be tested to learn more about their cancer risk.
● If you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, at some point you might benefit from
treatment with targeted drugs11 called PARP inhibitors.
● Even if you do not have any of the gene mutations listed above, your tumor might
be tested for some of these abnormal genes because it might give you more
options for treatment.
You may have heard about some home-based genetic tests. There is a concern that
these tests are promoted by companies without giving full information. For example, a
test for a small number of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations12 has been approved by
the FDA. However, there are more than 1,000 known BRCA mutations, and the ones
included in the approved test are not the most common ones. This means there are
many BRCA mutations that would not be detected by this test.
A genetic counselor or other qualified medical professional can help you understand the
risks, benefits, and possible limits of what genetic testing can tell you. This can help you
decide if testing is right for you, and which testing is best.
To learn more about genetic testing, see Should I Get Genetic Testing for Cancer
Risk?13
Molecular tests for gene changes
In some cases of ovarian cancer, doctors might look for specific gene changes in the
cancer cells (not from samples of your blood or saliva) that could mean certain targeted
or immunotherapy drugs14 might help treat the cancer. These molecular tests can be
done on a piece of the cancer taken during a biopsy or surgery for ovarian cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations: BRCA genes are normally involved in DNA
repair and mutations in these genes can keep DNA broken and the cells unable to work
correctly. This can cause cells to grow out of control and turn into cancer. Some ovarian
cancers have BRCA gene mutations.
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MSI and MMR gene testing: Women who have clear cell, endometrioid, or mucinous
ovarian cancer might have their tumor tested to see if it shows high levels of gene
changes called microsatellite instability (MSI). Testing might also be done to see if
the cancer cells have changes in any of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1,
MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2).
Changes in MSI or in MMR genes (or both) are often seen in people with Lynch
syndrome15(HNPCC). Up to 10% of all ovarian epithelial cancers have changes in these
genes.
There are 2 possible reasons to test ovarian cancers for MSI or for MMR gene changes:
● To identify patients who should be tested for Lynch syndrome. A diagnosis of Lynch
syndrome can help schedule other cancer screenings for the patient such as for
endometrial or colon cancer. Also, if a patient has Lynch syndrome, their relatives
could also have it, and may want to be tested for it.
● To determine treatment options for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancers that have
certain MSI or MMR gene changes might be treated with immunotherapy drugs.
NTRK gene mutations: Some ovarian cancers might be tested for changes in one of
the NTRK genes. Cells with these gene changes can lead to abnormal cell growth and
cancer. Larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) and entrectinib (Rozlytrek) are targeted drugs that stop
the proteins made by the abnormal NTRK genes. The number of ovarian cancers that
have this mutation is very small, but this may be an option for some women.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/ultrasound-for-
cancer.html
2. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/ct-scan-for-
cancer.html
3. /content/cancer/en/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/faq-colonoscopy-
and-sigmoidoscopy.html
4. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/mri-for-cancer.html
5. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/x-rays-and-other-
radiographic-tests.html
6. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/nuclear-medicine-
scans-for-cancer.html
7. /content/cancer/en/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/faq-colonoscopy-
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and-sigmoidoscopy.html
8. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/testing-biopsy-and-
cytology-specimens-for-cancer.html
9. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
10. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
11. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating/targeted-therapy.html
12. www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/breast-cancer-risk-
factors-you-cannot-change.html
13. www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/genetics/should-i-get-genetic-testing-for-
cancer-risk.html
14. www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/targeted-
therapies.html
15. www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-
factors.html
References
Chen, L., & Berek, J. (2018, January). UpToDate - Epithelial carcinoma of the ovary,
fallopian tube, and peritoneum: Clinical features and diagnosis. Retrieved February
6,2018, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/epithelial-carcinoma-of-the-
ovaryfallopian-tube-and-peritoneum-clinical-features-anddiagnosis.
Coleman RL, Liu J, Matsuo K, Thaker PH, Weston SN, and Sood Ak. Chapter 86:
Carcinoma of the Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO,
Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed.
Philadelphia, Pa. Elsevier: 2020.
Konstantinopoulos PA, Norquist B, Lacchetti C, Armstrong D, Grisham RN, Goodfellow
PJ, et al. Germline and Somatic Tumor Testing in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: ASCO
Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2020. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.02960. [Epub ahead of print].
Koczkowska M, Zuk M, Gorczynski A, et al. Detection of somatic BRCA1/2 mutations in
ovarian cancer - next-generation sequencing analysis of 100 cases. Cancer Med.
2016;5(7):1640–1646.
Morgan M, Boyd J, Drapkin R, Seiden MV. Ch 89 – Cancers Arising in the Ovary. In:
Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Lichter AS, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna
WG,eds. Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014: 1592.
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)—Genetic/Familial High-Risk
Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, and Pancreatic. V1.2020. Accessed March 26, 2020 from
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/genetics_bop.pdf
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NNCN)--Ovarian Cancer Including Fallopian
Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer. (2018, February 2). Retrieved February
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)--Ovarian Cancer Including Fallopian
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Okamura R, Boichard A, Kato S, Sicklick JK, Bazhenova L, Kurzrock R. Analysis
of NTRK Alterations in Pan-Cancer Adult and Pediatric Malignancies: Implications for
NTRK-Targeted Therapeutics. JCO Precis Oncol. 2018;2018:10.1200/PO.18.00183.
doi:10.1200/PO.18.00183
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Last Revised: April 3, 2020
Ovarian Cancer Stages
After a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has
spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer
describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is
and how best to treat it. Doctors also use a cancer's stage when talking about survival
statistics.
Ovarian cancer stages range from stage I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the
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number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means
cancer has spread more. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers
with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the
same way.
One of the goals of surgery for ovarian cancer is to take tissue samples for diagnosis
and staging. To stage the cancer, samples of tissues are taken from different parts of
the pelvis and abdomen and examined in the lab.
How is the stage determined?
The 2 systems used for staging ovarian cancer, theFIGO(International Federation of
Gynecology and Obstetrics) system and theAJCC (American Joint Committee on
Cancer) TNM staging system are basically the same.
They both use 3 factors to stage (classify) this cancer :
● The extent (size) of the tumor (T): Has the cancer spread outside the ovary or
fallopian tube? Has the cancer reached nearby pelvic organs like the uterus or
bladder?
● The spread to nearby lymph nodes (N): Has the cancer spread to the lymph nodes
in the pelvis or around the aorta (the main artery that runs from the heart down
along the back of the abdomen and pelvis)? Also called para-aortic lymph nodes.
● The spread (metastasis) to distant sites (M): Has the cancer spread to fluid around
the lungs (malignant pleural effusion) or to distant organs such as the liver or
bones?
Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors.
Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced. Once a person’s T, N, and M
categories have been determined, this information is combined in a process called
stage grouping to assign an overall stage.
The staging system in the table below uses the pathologic stage (also called thesurgical
stage). It is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation. This is also
known as surgical staging. Sometimes, if surgery is not possible right away, the
cancer will be given a clinical stage instead. This is based on the results of a physical
exam, biopsy, and imaging tests done before surgery. For more information see Cancer
Staging1.
The system described below is the most recent AJCC system effective January 2018. It
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is the staging system for ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal
cancer.
Cancer staging can be complex, so ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you
understand.
AJCC Stage FIGO
Stage description*
Stage grouping Stage
T1
The cancer is only in the ovary (or ovaries) or fallopian tube(s) (T1).
I N0 I
It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
M0
The cancer is in one ovary, and the tumor is confined to the inside of
T1a the ovary; or the cancer is in one fallopian tube, and is only inside the
fallopian tube. There is no cancer on the outer surfaces of the ovary
IA N0 IA or fallopian tube. No cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or
washings from the abdomen and pelvis (T1a).
M0
It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
The cancer is in both ovaries or fallopian tubes but not on their outer
T1b surfaces. No cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings
IB IB
from the abdomen and pelvis (T1b). It has not spread to nearby lymph
N0
nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
M0
The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes and any of the
following are present:
● The tissue (capsule) surrounding the tumor broke during surgery,
T1c which could allow cancer cells to leak into the abdomen and
pelvis (called surgical spill). This is stage IC1.
IC N0 IC ● Cancer is on the outer surface of at least one of the ovaries or
M0 fallopian tubes or the capsule (tissue surrounding the tumor) has
ruptured (burst) before surgery (which could allow cancer cells to
spill into the abdomen and pelvis). This is stage IC2.
● Cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings from the
abdomen and pelvis. This is stage IC3.
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It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
T2 The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes and has spread
II to other organs (such as the uterus, bladder, the sigmoid colon, or the
N0 II
rectum) within the pelvis or there is primary peritoneal cancer (T2). It
M0 has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
T2a
The cancer has spread to or has invaded (grown into) the uterus or
IIA N0 IIA the fallopian tubes, or the ovaries. (T2a). It has not spread to nearby
lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).
M0
T2b The cancer is on the outer surface of or has grown into other nearby
pelvic organs such as the bladder, the sigmoid colon, or the rectum
IIB N0 IIB
(T2b). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites
M0 (M0).
T1 or T2 The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is
primary peritoneal cancer (T1) and it may have spread or grown into
IIIA1 N1 IIIA1 nearby organs in the pelvis (T2). It has spread to the retroperitoneal
(pelvic and/or para-aortic) lymph nodes only. It has not spread to
M0 distant sites (M0).
The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is
primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs
T3a outside the pelvis. During surgery, no cancer is visible in the abdomen
(outside of the pelvis) to the naked eye, but tiny deposits of cancer are
IIIA2 N0 or N1 IIIA2 found in the lining of the abdomen when it is examined in the lab
(T3a).
M0
The cancer might or might not have spread to retroperitoneal lymph
nodes (N0 or N1), but it has not spread to distant sites (M0).
There is cancer in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is
T3b primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs
outside the pelvis. The deposits of cancer are large enough for the
IIIB N0 or N1 IIIB
surgeon to see, but are no bigger than 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) across.
M0 (T3b).
It may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (N0
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or N1), but it has not spread to the inside of the liver or spleen or to
distant sites (M0).
The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is
primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs
T3c outside the pelvis. The deposits of cancer are larger than 2 cm (about
3/4 inch) across and may be on the outside (the capsule) of the liver
IIIC N0 or N1 IIIC or spleen (T3c).
M0 It may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (N0
or N1), but it has not spread to the inside of the liver or spleen or to
distant sites (M0).
Any T Cancer cells are found in the fluid around the lungs (called a
malignant pleural effusion) with no other areas of cancer spread such
IVA Any N IVA
as the liver, spleen, intestine, or lymph nodes outside the abdomen
M1a (M1a).
Any T The cancer has spread to the inside of the spleen or liver, to lymph
nodes other than the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and/or to other
IVB Any N IVB
organs or tissues outside the peritoneal cavity such as the lungs and
M1b bones (M1b).
* The following additional categories are not described in the table above:
● TX: Main tumor cannot be assessed due to lack of information
● T0: No evidence of a primary tumor.
● NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed due to lack of information.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/staging.html
References
American Joint Committee on Cancer. Ovary, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal
carcinoma. In: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 8th ed. New York, NY: Springer;
2017:681-690.
18American Cancer Society cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
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Prat J; FIGO Committee on Gynecologic Oncology. Staging classification for cancer of
the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2014;124(1):1-5.
Last Revised: April 11, 2018
Survival Rates for Ovarian Cancer
Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type
and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they
were diagnosed. They can’t tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a
better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.
Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous
outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they can’t
predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. These statistics can be
confusing and may lead you to have more questions. Talk with your doctor about
how these numbers may apply to you, as he or she is familiar with your situation.
What is a 5-year relative survival rate?
A relative survival rate compares people with the same type and stage of cancer to
people in the overall population. For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a
specific stage of ovarian cancer is 80%, it means that people who have that cancer are,
on average, about 80% as likely as people who don’t have that cancer to live for at least
5 years after being diagnosed.
Where do these numbers come from?
The American Cancer Society relies on information from the SEER* database,
maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to provide survival statistics for
different types of cancer.
The SEER database tracks 5-year relative survival rates for ovarian cancer in the
United States, based on how far the cancer has spread. The SEER database, however,
does not group cancers by AJCC or FIGO stages (stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, etc.).
Instead, it groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages:
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● Localized: There is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the ovaries.
● Regional: The cancer has spread outside the ovaries to nearby structures or lymph
nodes.
● Distant: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or
lungs.
5-year relative survival rates for ovarian (or fallopian tube) cancer
These numbers are based on people diagnosed with cancers of the ovary (or fallopian
tube) between 2010 and 2016. These survival rates differ based on the type of ovarian
cancer1 (invasive epithelial, stromal, or germ cell tumor).
Invasive epithelial ovarian cancer
SEER stage 5-year relative survival rate
Localized 93%
Regional 75%
Distant 31%
All SEER stages combined 48%
Ovarian stromal tumors
SEER stage 5-year relative survival rate
Localized 98%
Regional 89%
Distant 60%
All SEER stages combined 88%
Germ cell tumors of the ovary
SEER stage 5-year relative survival rate
Localized 98%
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Regional 94%
Distant 73%
All SEER stages combined 93%
Fallopian tube cancer
SEER stage 5-year relative survival rate
Localized 95%
Regional 53%
Distant 45%
All SEER stages combined 57%
Understanding the numbers
● These numbers apply only to the stage of the cancer when it is first
diagnosed. They do not apply later on if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back
after treatment.
● These numbers don’t take everything into account. Survival rates are grouped
based on how far the cancer has spread. But other factors, such as your age and
overall health, and how well the cancer responds to treatment, can also affect your
outlook.
● People now being diagnosed with ovarian (or fallopian tube) cancer may have
a better outlook than these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and
these numbers are based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least five
years earlier.
*SEER = Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/what-is-ovarian-cancer.html
References
21American Cancer Society cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
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Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z,
Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics
Review, 1975-2017, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD,
https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2017/, based on November 2019 SEER data
submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2020.
Last Revised: January 25, 2021
What Should You Ask Your Doctor
About Ovarian Cancer?
It is important for you to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team.
They want to answer all of your questions, so that you can make informed treatment
and life decisions. Here are some questions to consider:
When you’re told you have ovarian cancer
● What type of ovarian cancer do I have?
● Has my cancer spread beyond the ovaries?
● What is the cancer’s stage (extent), and what does that mean?
● Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
● Do I need to see any other doctors or health professionals?
● If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and
treatment, who can help me?
● Will I be able to have children after my treatment?
● Should I think about genetic testing1? What are my testing options? Should I take a
home-based genetic test? What would the pros and cons of testing be?
When deciding on a treatment plan
● What are mytreatment options2?
● What do you recommend and why?
● How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
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● Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
● What would the goal of the treatment be?
● How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
● What should I do to be ready for treatment?
● How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
● What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
● Are there things I can do to reduce these side effects?
● How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
● What are the chances the cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment
plans?
● What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
● What if I have transportation problems3 getting to and from treatment?
During treatment
Once treatment begins, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all
of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
● How will we know if the treatment is working?
● Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
● What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
● How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
● Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
● Are there any limits on what I can do?
● Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do, and how often?
● Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel
overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
● What if I need social support during treatment because my family lives far away?
After treatment
● Do I need a special diet after treatment?
● Are there any limits on what I can do?
● What other symptoms should I watch for?
● What kind of exercise should I do now?
● What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
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● How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
● Will I need any blood tests?
● How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
● What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For
instance, you might want more information about recovery times. You may also want to
ask about clinical trials4 for which you may qualify.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/genetics.html
2. www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating.html
3. www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html
4. www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/clinical-trials.html
Last Revised: April 11, 2018
Written by
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
(www.cancer.org/cancer/acs-medical-content-and-news-staff.html)
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of
cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in
medical writing.
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint
requests, please see our Content Usage Policy (www.cancer.org/about-
us/policies/content-usage.html).
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